WCH 2026 Quali

This qualification mode applies to the 2026 World Championship and is based on the provisions of the IRO World Championships Guidelines, from which all the principles not mentioned below can be found.

Conditions for qualification

• Each participant needs to complete 2 SAR tests in level B of the chosen discipline at 2 different events.
• the average score on these tests must be at least 255 points.
• A single test must have a minimum score of at least 250 points
• For participants who live outside Europe it is sufficient to achieve the minimum score of 255 points once.
• If it’s not possible to start with the same NRO, that is started at WCH, the results it has to be defined with which NRO the DH starts at WCH
• Per qualification test (except IRO testing events) a DH can start with only one dog per discipline.

A qualifying test is:

• all IRO testing events (IRO testing event and national championship) and
• any SAR tests that meet the following conditions
  • it includes a ranking (competitive events like championships or similar tournaments).
  • it is judged by at least two different judges who are either IRO judges or recognized FCI judges. (IRO judges & List List FCI judges).
  • one judge is for nose work, the other for obedience
  • At least 10 dog handlers at level B must take part in each test.
  • It has to be registered by 30 th of November in IRO Office. If the test takes place already before December, it has to be registered before the event. Please inform the IRO Office about the name of the event, date, location and judges
  • It takes place during qualification period.

Registration of test:

• qualifying tests must be registered by the organising NRO by sending an email to IRO office (ausbildung@iro-dogs.org, subject “WCH-quali event”) by 30th of November 2025.
• up to 3 qualifying tests are possible per country. A judge who has already been allocated in one test per country cannot judge again in tests 2 and 3.
• please note that judges from IRO tests are not affected by this.
• the organizing NRO must send a complete results list within 5 days after the event. (as Excel and PDF signed by judges)

Exception: Water test at WCH26
The WCH competition will be held only if at least 10 competitors register.
Eligibility for entry requires successful completion of the RH W/B test with a minimum score of 250 points, achieved in WCH Quali period.

A qualifying test for Water is:
• all IRO testing events national test an is judged by IRO judges or recognized FCI judges. (ListIRO judges & List FCI judges) and
• it includes a ranking (competitive events like championships or similar tournaments) and
• event has to be registered by 31st of January 2026, latest: IRO Office has to be informed about the name of the event, date, location and judges. 

Starting places:

• Each NRO is guaranteed one starting place for the WCH starter with the highest total points across all disciplines.
• extra spots are allocated based on the results of ranking.

Results and rankings:

• the IRO will create a list of qualified dog handlers based on all valid results.
• if there is a dog handler with different dogs only the best dog is ranked.
• if there are the same points, the one who passed the IRO test has priority.
• if still tied, the one with higher nose work points has priority.
• results will be published on the IRO-WCH website

How to register for WCH

• the spokesperson of each NRO must register all team members (team leader incl.) online

Additional to IRO test these testing events are confirmed for Quali IRO WCH 2026 (last change 03.02.2026):